CEBU CITY--Seven barangay captains in Lapu-Lapu City have filed graft charges against Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan and some City Hall employees.
The seven barangay captains filed the complaint on February 9 before the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas.
The city's Public Information Office said Chan will comment on the charges once he receives a copy of the complaint.
Bangkal Barangay Captain Eduardo Cuizon, who is the president of the city's Liga ng mga Barangay President, led the filing of the complaint which stemmed from the city's purchase of food packs that were allegedly supplied by a furniture exporting company.
Cuizon is one of the eight city councilors who are allied with Chan's political rival Paz Radaza.
Chan is seeking reelection against Radaza, a former city mayor, in the upcoming May elections.
The seven barangay captains alleged that Chan and other city officials violated Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code, the Malversation of Funds, Sections 3 and 4 of Republic Act 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Aside from Cuizon, the other complainants are Barangay Captains Eleonor Fontanoza (Gun-ob), Regina Ybañez (Looc), Triponia Abayan (Tungasan), Joselito Tibon (Subabasbas), Reynaldo Tampus (Canjulao), and Rosalino Abing (Maribago).
Aside from Chan, also charged were City Attorney Allan James Sayson, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Head Nagiel Bañacia, Bids and Awards Committee members Ronaldo Malacora, Claire Cabalda, Romeo Berame, and Nestor Tuñacao.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 15, Cuizon said the filing of charges has nothing to do with politics.
Cuizon claimed they filed the complaint based on the report of the Commission on Audit (COA) showing the alleged irregularities in the procurement process of the city.
The seven barangay captains cited an audit report stating that in 2020, the city purchased P7 million worth of non-food relief items and COVID-19 supplies amounting to P4,925,550.
In the COA report, it was stated that there was no proof that Notice of Awards, contracts or purchase orders were posted on the website of the procuring entity and on the online portal of the Government Procurement Policy Board.
Also in 2021, the complainants said the city also released P30 millions for food relief items and P5,975,550 worth of food packs.
The complainants said the items that the city purchased in those years were supplied by Heritage Muebles Mirabile Export Inc.
The complainants said that the company was registered in 1994 with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a manufacturer, importer, exporter, buyer and seller of wrought iron, stone, wooden, bamboo and rattan furniture.
“Nowhere was it stated that it is or it can engage in selling any supplies, food packs, relief packs, or any commodities for public consumption,” read a portion of the complaint.